Edexcel IAL P1 January 2020 question paper and mark scheme (WMA11/01)

Try 3 P1 questions like these

Written and checked by us, not taken from the Pearson paper. Tap "Worked answer" to see every step.

1. Algebra · 7 marks

   Solve the simultaneous equations $x - y = 2$ and $x^2 - xy + y^2 = 7$.

   Worked answer

   M1 Rearranges the linear equation to make $y$ the subject: $y = x - 2$.

   1. M1 Substitutes this expression into the quadratic equation: $x^2 - x(x - 2) + (x - 2)^2 = 7$.
   2. M1 Expands the brackets correctly: $x^2 - x^2 + 2x + (x^2 - 4x + 4) = 7$.
   3. A1 Simplifies to a 3-term quadratic equation: $x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0$.
   4. M1 Factorises the quadratic: $(x - 3)(x + 1) = 0$.
   5. A1 Finds the $x$-values: $x = 3$ and $x = -1$.
   6. A1 Substitutes back into the linear equation to find the corresponding $y$-values, giving the final solution pairs $x = 3, y = 1$ and $x = -1, y = -3$.

2. Coordinate Geometry · 8 marks

   Three points define the vertices of a triangle: \(A(-2, -1)\), \(B(4, 7)\), and \(C(8, 4)\).

   1. By calculating the gradients of \([AB]\) and \([BC]\), prove that triangle \(ABC\) is a right-angled triangle.

   2. Calculate the exact lengths of \([AB]\) and \([BC]\).

   3. Hence, find the exact area of the triangle \(ABC\).

   Worked answer

   1. Gradient \(m_{AB} = \frac{7 - (-1)}{4 - (-2)} = \frac{8}{6} = \frac{4}{3}\). A1
      Gradient \(m_{BC} = \frac{4 - 7}{8 - 4} = \frac{-3}{4}\). A1
      Since \(m_{AB} \times m_{BC} = \frac{4}{3} \times -\frac{3}{4} = -1\), \([AB]\) and \([BC]\) are perpendicular. M1
      Thus, triangle \(ABC\) has a right angle at \(B\). B1

   2. Length \(AB = \sqrt{(4 - (-2))^2 + (7 - (-1))^2} = \sqrt{36 + 64} = \sqrt{100} = 10\). A1
      Length \(BC = \sqrt{(8 - 4)^2 + (4 - 7)^2} = \sqrt{16 + 9} = \sqrt{25} = 5\). A1

   3. Since the triangle is right-angled at \(B\), \(AB\) and \(BC\) act as the base and height. M1
      Area \(= \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 5 = 25\) sq units. A1

3. Differentiation · 6 marks

   The tangents to the curve $y = x^2 - 4x$ at the points where $x = 1$ and $x = 3$ intersect at a point $P$. Find the coordinates of $P$.

   Worked answer

   1. M1 for finding the y-coordinates: at $x=1, y=-3$ and at $x=3, y=-3$.
   2. M1 for differentiating $\frac{dy}{dx} = 2x - 4$ to find the gradients: $m_1 = -2$ (at $x=1$) and $m_3 = 2$ (at $x=3$).
   3. M1 for finding the equation of the first tangent: $y - (-3) = -2(x - 1) \implies y = -2x - 1$.
   4. M1 for finding the equation of the second tangent: $y - (-3) = 2(x - 3) \implies y = 2x - 9$.
   5. M1 for equating the two tangent equations: $-2x - 1 = 2x - 9 \implies 4x = 8 \implies x = 2$.
   6. A1 for finding the corresponding y-coordinate $y = -5$, giving $P(2, -5)$.

More on these topics: Algebra · Coordinate Geometry · Differentiation

P1 topics this paper can test

Every P1 paper can test any of the 6 P1 topics in the specification.

We haven't mapped this paper question by question yet. Each topic below opens our P1 page at that topic: what it covers, a worked example with its mark scheme, then practice questions.

• Algebra
• Coordinate Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Differentiation
• Integration
• Graphs and Transformations

Practise these topics (opens the practice engine)

• IAL P1

Practise every P1 topic free →

Formula booklet

Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables (International AS/A Level Mathematics) · Pearson Edexcel · For the 2018 IAL specification (current)